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10 February 2012

Local Fine Gael T.D. Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, has confirmed that a licence to operate the 116000 Hotline for Missing Children has been allocated to the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC).

“Under EU telecoms rules agreed in 2009, the 116000 number is reserved in all EU member states for a missing children hotline. I committed to working to establish this Hotline in Ireland in 2012,” said Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

“Late last year I established a cross-sectoral Project Team, including representatives of my own Department, the Department of Justice and Equality, ComReg and an Garda Síochána to examine how to progress this Hotline, including, if appropriate with NGO involvement,” continued Fitzgerald.
“During the course of the Project Team’s work, Comreg, who have responsibility for allocation of this number in Ireland, received an application to operate the Hotline from the ISPCC. Following an examination of the issues involved by the Project Team, Comreg yesterday advised my Department that they have allocated the 116000 number to the ISPCC. This is an important step in securing the provision of the Missing Children Hotline in Ireland,” said Fitzgerald.

“I wish to commend the commitment and interest shown by the ISPCC in seeking to progress provision of this Hotline. The Project Team will now work to ensure that the 116000 Hotline becomes operational as soon as possible and operates in a way that supports and augments existing arrangements to secure child protection,” concluded Fitzgerald.